(NDTV)While their cricket teams were battling it out against one another, co-owners of F1 team Sahara Force India – Subroto Roy and Vijay Mallya – were seen obliging photographers with their drivers – Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg.

Coming from a rather dismal showing in the Chinese Grand Prix in which the team failed to collect any points, both di Resta and Hulkenberg seemed excited to be at the venue and were also seen with cricketers Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Muttiah Muralitharan and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla.

While Hulkenburg said he was here in the previous edition of IPL, it was a new experience for his teammate. ” I was here last time, cheering for Bangalore. This time, we are more neutral but it is great to haveour stakeholders have two opposing teams on the cricket pitch,” said Hulkenburg in the mid-innings break.

Interestingly, both drivers were wearing their Force India T-shirts which hinted at their neutrality. “India is a great country and I am loving the atmosphere here. We are here to increase our fan-base in the country but it is great to get to see some cricket as well,” said di Resta adding that their F1 team was working hard to get the most out if their cars.

The Formula One team was initially owned by Mallya before a deal was struck with Sahara last year and currently have nine points. The team is eight in the standings for teams at the end of three races in the 2012 season. The next race is at Bahrain on April 22.